Germany to prolong France border checks
The ‘exceptional’ measures have been extended before key election
Checks have been in place between the two countries since September 2024
Matthias Wehnert/Shutterstock
Germany will continue its policy of checks at land borders with neighbouring countries – including France – for another six months, Chancellor Olaf Scholz confirmed yesterday (February 12).
Regular checks on drivers entering the country will take place, with police having the ability to turn back those who do not carry the correct paperwork.
German police have the ability to carry out the checks on anybody crossing into the country via a land border.
The checks originally came into force in September 2024 for a six-month period, with the potential to be extended.
France also temporarily put border checks in place with its EU neighbours in November, however these also include checks on incoming air and sea routes and not just at land borders.
Read more: Tourists, foreign residents: How France’s new Schengen border checks will work
If stopped by German police at the border, one of the following documents must be shown:
An EU-nationality passport or official ID card
A non-EU passport with a residency card or visa issued by an EU country
A non-EU passport that has been stamped when entering the EU within the limits of the 90/180 days rule.
Tougher immigration stance
Although EU Member States that are part of the Schengen Area nominally have open borders with each other, the EU allows for internal borders to be temporarily restricted under ‘exceptional’ circumstances.
This happened during parts of the Covid pandemic, but is becoming increasingly common due to concerns over illegal immigration and terrorism under the issue of ‘internal threats’.
Member States can implement border controls with other Member States for a maximum period of two years over the latter, having to renew the policy every six months.
Both Germany and France have implemented land border checks with all neighbouring EU countries.
German authorities claim the policy has been successful, leading to 47,000 people ‘turned back at the border’ and nearly 2,000 people smugglers arrested since the policy was implemented (quoted by public service media outlet FranceInfo).
The EU’s largest country (by population) heads to the polls in two weeks, with immigration a cornerstone issue.
Friedrich Merz of the right-wing Christian Democratic Union of Germany – Mr Scholz’s main rival to become Chancellor – said he wishes to introduce permanent land border controls with other EU nations.
Read more: Obligatory new French tests for some residency cards: is level too tough?
